THE DISTANT HOURS

In Morton's complex gothic tale Louise Brealey keeps listeners involved as she reveals the love stories and horrors that drive the plot. Edie Burchill decides to delve into her mother's past even though they've never had a good relationship. Edie soon learns about Milderhurst Castle and the Blythe family. Brealey's chameleon voice can change the mood from happiness to dread with a few breathless statements and a frisson of fear. She is also adept at changing character voices as the time frames of this story go from present to past without much transition and the characters, especially the Blythe sisters, go from young women to 90-year-olds. Filled with deceit, death, and destruction, the novel, especially with Brealey's narration, keeps listeners spellbound. E.E.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2023]